Is Toyota better?

I received quite a lot of responses about my story on Virginia Mason’s lean way of doing things via a Toyota plant model.

A lot of you scoffed at the idea that the training (sending people to Japan for weeks to tour the plants and implement ideas upon return) was akin to regular workplace training any other company in the States would do. One reader e-mailed to tell me she knew first-hand the execs stayed in high-star hotels and ate quite lavish meals. All paid for by Virginia Mason? We weren’t able to get at that by the time the story was published, but we’re asking for the details now.

I’d also like to hear from more of you who have experienced this or any other hospital’s shift toward a leaner way of doing things (I hear Children’s is in the process). I gathered from a lot of the e-mails I received that it isn’t all wine and roses. Email me at cherieblack@seattlepi.com or call me at 206-448-8180 to share with me your opinions.